Pronunciation: in- ' ves-t ə - ˌ g ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -gat · ed ; -gat · ing
Etymology: Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare to track, investigate, from in- + vestigium footprint, track
Date: circa 1510
transitive verb : to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
intransitive verb : to make a systematic examination especially : to conduct an official inquiry < investigate a crime>
– in · ves · ti · ga · tion \ - ˌ ves-t ə - ' g ā -sh ə n \ noun
– in · ves · ti · ga · tive \ - ' ves-t ə - ˌ g ā -tiv \ adjective
– in · ves · ti · ga · tor \ - ˌ g ā -t ə r \ noun
– in · ves · ti · ga · to · ry \ - ' ves-ti-g ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē \ adjective